"Everyday, working man" Williams will strive to make Estes more affordable

Candidate wants to be tomorrow's leader, today

Barb Boyer Buck

Posted:
03/05/2014 11:14:59 AM MST

Mike Williams has joined seven other candidates - Judy Fontius, Bob Holcomb, Ward Nelson, Geraldtine Treacy, Wendy Koenig, Paul Fishman, and Janna Allerheiligen - in the race for Town Trustee. Three opening positions on the town's board will be decided in a poll election on April 1.
Although Williams was born in Norfolk, Virginia, and raised in Oregon, he joined a family that has lived in Northern Colorado for 139 years. He moved to Estes Park permanently to assist his grandparents in 2008. Williams is a veteran of the United States Navy and a graduate of the Texas Culinary Academy. Currently, he is employed at the Estes Park Medical Center as a chef and is the choir director and pianist for Allenspark Community Church.

Candidate wants to be tomorrow's leader, today (Barb Boyer Buck)

"Estes has been a major part of my life for my entire life," Williams said. "Estes Park has been there for me in so many ways, and I feel it is now my turn to return the favor to Estes, and to my fellow residents.
"I am not running for this position because I have my own agenda or policies that I want to put in place, nor do I have any axes to grind," he said. "I want to be 'tomorrow's leader, today' and help guide Estes Park."
To read Williams' complete biography and candidate statement, visit www.estes.org/elections.
(Trail-Gazette): What is your approach to economic development, or is it even an issue in the Estes Valley?
(Williams): There are of course several issues that need to be addressed in regards to economic development in the Estes Valley, but the biggest to me is affordable housing.

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Since the town is a Resort Community, property and housing in general are by nature going to be much higher than other towns in the area, and that has made it a major turn off for many people to work or even move here. It would be great to see more younger families moving to Estes Park, but until the pay of jobs either comes up, or housing prices go down, we will continue to see a decline in younger families, which in turn hurts local businesses and the schools.
The newly business proposals in town are promising many new jobs, but will the pay be enough to bring new people into the community to stay, or will they continue to live in Loveland and Longmont where housing is more affordable and commute?
As a regular everyday working man living in Estes, I can say that it is hard at times to make a living that covers everything, housing, bills, groceries. I have been fortunate to be able to buy my own home, but not without the help of my family. I know many people who work here in town but commute, and their reason is all the same, it is just too expensive.
(Trail-Gazette): What is your stance on the Anschutz Wellness Center at the Stanley Hotel? What is your stance on Lot 4?
(Williams): I would like to answer both of these questions at the same time. The Anschutz project is certainly an interesting proposition, and time will tell whether or not it moves forward depending on how the voters feel. At this time it is up to the residents to make the final decision.
Having said that, as an employee of Estes Park Medical Center, I would like to recuse myself and remain neutral on these subjects during this campaign. Rest assured, if I am elected to the board, I am there to be a representative of the residents of Estes Park, and I would support whatever decision is made regarding both the Anschutz Wellness Center and Lot 4.
(Trail-Gazette): What is your stance on the community wellness center (the rec. district proposal)?
(Williams): To me, this is the project that the town, and the residents, should be most focused on. This is not just a place focused on one particular group, but an intergenerational facility from day care to the Senior Center, and with so many activities promised for everyone of any age.
(Trail-Gazette): What opportunities does the flood recovery activity present as the community moves forward?
(Williams): One of the best things that I have seen since the flood occurred is that it has brought the community closer together than it has been in ages. We are all working together as one to make the town great again, and helping those who have lost so much.
Due to damage, businesses in both Estes and the lower towns are up, many extra jobs were created due to the need of repairing the roads, and people are going to want to come to Estes because they can. There is much curiosity to see what is left, and that will just boost sales in local businesses as well.
(Trail-Gazette): What is your stance on the proposed 1% Town sales tax increase?
(Williams): I am actually in favor of this tax increase. There are plenty of benefits to this, and 1% is not that much in the grand scheme of things. With 60% allotted to roads, which are in desperate repair, 25% to the Senior Center and the proposed Community Center, 12.5% to trails, and the remaining 2.5% allotted to emergency response, it would be unwise to not vote for this measure. Plus we will hopefully gain back some of the income from sales tax lost during September and October of last year during the flooding.
Mike D. Williams is one of eight candidates who have filed valid nomination petitions with the Town Clerk to run for three available seats on the Town Board. These positions will decided in a poll ballot election held at Town Hall on April 1 from 7 am to 7 pm. Registered voters have until March 28 to request an absentee ballot. All absentee ballots must be received by April 1 at 7 pm in order to be counted. Candidates have until March 7 to withdraw from the election and candidates who wish to be considered as a write-in candidate have until March 12 to file a petition with the Town Clerk's office.